How To Get Your MOJO Back???

I don't know about you, but I have a daily battle with motivation. The motivation to get up from a nice, warm, comfortable bed to going out into the cold, dark morning and running or swimming. Or maybe it is the motivation to hop on the trainer at night, watch a TV show, but you fall victim to that nice comfortable bed...again.

Well if you read this blog, then you know I battle motivation constantly. Ever since I did Ironman (have I told you about that?) things have been different. I still that the desire, but not the "physical want to" like before, so how do I motivate myself? Let me share...

Blog About it!  Nothing motivates me more than to write on this blog about my workouts. This entire blog was designed to be an accountability piece for me long before I published it and thought anyone would read it. After writing a good blog piece, many time I realize that everything I say is keeping from getting out there is just an excuse (and that I can be a weenie sometimes), so talking it out on here will motivate me to get out there.

Shaving!!

I know, self explanatory right?

Yes, the unspoken part of triathlons. Sometimes...ok, a lot of times I will go ahead and shave to get me back in the right track of mind. (I don't think I have ever blogged about shaving before). Something about it makes me feel like an athlete, makes me feel fast and awesome. I will cut my hair short, shave my legs and body and then I am ready. Does it make me faster? Heck no, but I feeeeellll faster and that is the important thing!

and finally...

New Gear!

Who doesn't like new stuff? New shoes, new running shorts, new watch, anything, it doesn't matter! Luckily, I had a Sports Academy gift-card from Christmas and I went and got new compression sleeves and new goggles!  I love swimming in new goggles! I like to go out and purchase motivation when I can. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be something related to the sport.

So those are my "get out of a funk" tips. Tell me yours, what do you do to get yourself going again??

Flip turns in December...

I know I have been saying for awhile that I was planning on getting back to the pool after the half marathon as over, and I am happy to report that I have been to the pool twice this week! So I headed off to the Bartlett recreation Center to hit the water.

I remembered where the pool was. I remember my combination to my locker, and my jammers did not look to ridiculous on me. In my locker were my Zoggs goggles, swim cap and flippers, everything I needed was there. So I changed clothes, grabbed my towel and walked out to the pool area.

As I was walking, I noticed how empty the pool was. there were maybe two other people, not including the lifeguard in the pool, swimming laps. It always seems to be this way that once the season is over, the pool becomes an empty place until the New year crowds show up, but it is one of my favorite times to be in the pool. In fact, one of my most favorite traditions is my Christmas Eve swim. I am usually the only one in the pool. The gym usually closes early, so I can get in and out easily, and as I was walking to the far lane, I was already planning my Dec 24th swim.

As I got to the far lane, I placed my stuff down and got on my goggles and cap. I then walked down tot he deep end of the pool and do a wicked pencil drop into the pool. (I saw Crowie do this on an IM special and thought it was cool, so I start all my swims that way now)

It felt good to be in the water. I swam 500 yards and that was enough. It has been a long time since I last swam and it was evident. I swam the 500 in 10:04 and was not upset with that time. 500 yds used to be a warm up!!!  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed swimming and I was glad to be back in the water. My plan is to continue to swim 500 yards, three times a week until January and then amp up the speed and distance. I hope to have a clear plan as to my race schedule and will have a plan in place.

P.S. My flip turns were about the same as I left, so that's a good thing.

Zoggs Goggles Giveaway!

I think I have tried almost every brand of goggles on the market. There are some that I liked certain features of this brand, and I liked certain features of this brand, but I have never found the goggles for me. Until now!!! And let me tell you how I found them!

I was flipping through Triathlete Magazine and they had a page on nothing about goggles. One brand caught my eye based off the findings in the magazine. The Zoggs Phantom Elite goggles.Here is a quote from the magazine about them:

 "The Draw: Flexible fit for many face shapes. The lenses of the Phantom Elite are more curved than the standard Phantom to increase field of vision. The frame is durable and flexible and stayed secure on a variety of face shapes. Testers like the blue lenses and soft feel for long yardage in the pool, but the wide lens shape would work well in open water as well"

It has always been very hard for me to find a goggle that fits me, it seems it has always been me trying to fit the goggles in the past. So I talked to the Zoggs representative and right there, I knew I had been going about getting my goggles all wrong. He really took the time to ask about what goggles I had used in the past and what problems I had with them. I even sent in a picture so they could get a look at this old ugly mug to assist in getting the right goggles for my face.

Let me ask you this, how do we all buy goggles? Usually standing there in the aisle, looking at price and which ones we think look the coolest! And then we always complain about the goggles not fitting right, about them leaking and about what every goggle says on it "won't fog up", which I am always a doubter about.

So I was thrilled when I received two pairs of Zoggs Phantom Elite goggles in the mail. One pair with the blue lens and one with the blank lens. I really could not wait to try them out. So the next morning I go to the pool to rock out 2000 yards. I put on the goggles and I dive in the water and it is amazingly clear. I get that they are clear because they are new, but it is altogether different. I could really tell that I did in fact have a larger field of vision in the pool. Everything was crisp and clear. I had zero issues with fogging. I did not have any issues with leaking. I did have to make a minor adjustment after about 10 laps, but once I got the fit right, I promise you it felt like I wasn't even wearing goggles. These goggles are made so that you do not have to wear them so tight on your face that you get that long swim headache! You know when your goggles are squeezing into your head and eyes? With just a slight suction, they are there and I promise you don't even feel them while swimming!

Other great things about the Zoggs Phantom Elite goggles:

• Soft frame- the flexible frame molds to your face for comfort
• 180 degree vision- the curved lens technology expands your peripheral vision
• Anti-Fog lenses- That are actually anti-fog!
• Quick Adjust- simple pull of the straps tightens and a push of a button loosens them
• Split silicone head strap- fits securely over the head
• Polarized Italian lenses- eliminates glare in open water
• UV Protection- eye protection

Now for the good news, Zoggs is going to giveaway a pair of goggles to a reader. All you have to do is follow the simple rules (as always) and I will draw a winner, and they will send you a pair of goggles directly! How cool is that? Here are the requirements to enter the drawing:

1. Be or become a follower of Daily Trainings (1 entry)
2. Leave a comment (1 entry)
3. Like Zoggs on FaceBook (1 entry) and I have provided a link

You will have until Saturday May the 5th to enter and a winner will be drawn on Sunday! This is one giveaway you do not want to miss out on! I have found my goggles of choice, and I guarantee you will love these goggles as well!

27 New Goals and some Ramblings!

Saturday our new running group met. We had 34 people signed up and 27 people actually show up for the meeting. I admit, I was nervous. I am not a great speaker and I feel I am even worse when speaking in a church setting, but it went off well. One of the things I asked everyone to do was to list their goal for the course! I have to say that I had 27 different goals form these new runners. It was very inspiring. I had responses from "finish a 5K" to "get in better shape" to beat a "PR of 41 minutes". It was very inspiring to see people who were not runners, getting out and running. I am so looking forward to the next 12 weeks and watching them grow in this sport!!!

They have also inspired me to get up and run in the morning.

I am having my biggest month on the bike so far.

I went to Game 4 of the Grizzlies vs. Clippers on Sat with my oldest boys and some friends!  Lots of Fun!  Go Grizzlies!!!

20 days until my Olympic Tri, which I am hoping for sub 2:45, but not very confident.

I am also on a Hot Tamale kick!  Good stuff and fat free as well! (says so on the box)

I weighed in at 179 this morning!!!!

Coming up in a day or two, I am posting my review on Zoggs goggles and there will also be a giveaway of goggles!!!!